California Median
$58,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.03
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $54,430
State Rank
#11 of 36
280 employed here
How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in California?
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in California take home a median of $58,310 annually — roughly $28.03 an hour — which runs 7% above the national median of $54,430.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $46,940 while the top 10% make $72,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,750 and $69,830 a year.
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,940 | $22.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,750 | $23.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,310 | $28.03 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,830 | $33.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,460 | $34.84 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 11th out of 36 states and territories for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Minnesota $75,880New Jersey $75,020New York $66,440Oregon $64,410Washington $62,850North Carolina $60,780Utah $60,510Arizona $59,830Kentucky $59,040Massachusetts $58,480Indiana $58,300Tennessee $57,490Iowa $57,030Virginia $57,000Nevada $56,790West Virginia $56,290Pennsylvania $55,910Missouri $55,480Ohio $55,080Alabama $54,260Nebraska $52,800Illinois $51,020Connecticut $50,510New Mexico $50,260Florida $49,780Oklahoma $48,890Wisconsin $48,260Georgia $47,750Texas $46,670New Hampshire $46,380Michigan $44,900Kansas $44,800South Carolina $44,160Arkansas $39,920Mississippi $39,610
Working as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in California
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($58,310) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary in California is $58,310 per year, or about $28.03 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,940 at the entry level to $72,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders about 7% more than the national median of $54,430. California ranks 11th out of 36 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,310 a year. About 280 Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.